Thank you for visiting my website! Click here to learn more about me, or use the navigation menu on the left to explore the site. Below is my blog, in which I will be posting updates, appearances, press clips and exciting news. Thanks for visiting, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Enjoy this blog that was just posted in The Whole Megillah, an online periodical hosted by Barbara Krasner. I talk about the trials and joys of having written my latest book, Stones on a Grave (published by Orca Book Publishers and part of the Secrets series of books). Many thanks to Barbara and The Whole Megillah! Author\'s Notebook, Kathy Kacer, Stones on a Grave

I’m on the road with the authors of the new SECRETS series. My fellow writers are Teresa Toten, Eric Walters, Kelly Armstrong, Vicki Grant, and Marthe Jocelyn. We are going to be visiting more than 80 schools, talking to kids about the series and our own individual book in the series. Mine is Stones on a Grave. Then in the evening, the seven of us gather at one designated school for a big presentation that includes readings, q and a, giveaways, book signings, and all kinds of fun and entertainment.
So far it’s been a fabulous experience.
On Friday, we criss-crossed part of the province, visiting ten Chapters, Indigo, and Coles book stores. It was great to meet he staff in these stores, talk about the series, and sign books. And of course, we had to pose for lots of pictures.
The fun continues all of next week. Stay tuned!!

I am so happy about this lovely review for Stones on a Grave in CM Magazine. This is my new book, published by Orca Books, and part of the Secrets series. Here’s some of what the reviewer had to say:

Stones on a Grave is a deeply moving story about the innate human longing to know where one comes from and about the power of love and forgiveness to overcome any darkness. The plot flows smoothly, and characters are well developed, given the brevity of the novel. This title would make a beneficial addition to a high school curriculum as a supplementary resource to teachings about World War II.

Woohoo! Hope you have a chance to read Stones on a Grave. Read all seven books in the series!

When Sara arrives in Germany, she doesn’t speak the language and she has little understanding of what it means to be Jewish in Germany in the 1960s. With the help of a handsome, English-speaking Germany boy, Sara searches for traces of her mother’s existence in a world all but destroyed by the war.

I am thrilled to announce that Stones on a Grave (part of the new Secrets series, published by Orca books) will be out in September. I am joining a fantastic group of authors (Teresa Toten, Norah McClintock, Eric Walters, Marthe Jocelyn, Kelly Armstrong, and Vicki Grant) as we officially launch this new series of books.

In October, the seven of us will be traveling across Ontario, speaking in dozens of schools and signing books in a bunch of Chapters/Indigo stores. Stay tuned for more information about that. In the meantime, read one of the new Secrets books. Read them all! You won’t be sorry!

I attended the memorial service for another Holocaust survivor this past week. Lisa Avedon escaped from Germany with her family on the eve of Kristallnacht. She was a passenger on board the S.S. St. Louis, the ill-fated ship that was turned away from every port in North and South America (including Halifax) before being forced to return to Europe. Roughly half the passengers on board perished in the death camps of Europe. Lisa and her family were among the lucky survivors. I wrote about her in my book, To Hope and Back; the journey of the St. Louis

Lisa Avedon

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As an adult, Lisa did graduate work at the University of Minnesota and later at Columbia University Teachers College in New York City. She moved to Canada in the 1970s where her interest and commitment to the women’s movement led her to work for the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women. She was an active leader in Canada’s National Organization of Women and published many articles on labour issues, women, and education.
I was privileged to spend many hours with Lisa, going over the details of her remarkable life and listening to her stories. She was incredibly smart, articulate, strong-spirited, and passionate about so many things. Hers is one more voice of the Holocaust that sadly has been lost.

Some of you know that a play I wrote with my son, Jake Epstein, is going to have its world premiere with the Harold Green Theatre here in Toronto from April 18-May 10. It’s called Therefore Choose Life. Jake will actually be in the play along with a wonderful cast that includes Sheila McCarthy, Avery Saltzman, Lisa Horner, and Amelia Sargisson. It’s directed by Rachel Slaven. To say that Jake and I are thrilled about this is a massive understatement. We’re over the moon! I’ll post more in the weeks to come – you can count on that! But in the meantime, here’s a link to an on-line interview that Jake and I participated in. Enjoy!
www.hgjewishtheatre.com/newsletter/jan15-epstien-full.html

And if you want to buy tickets to the show, here’s the link to the Harold Green Theatre website. I know it’s still early, but I’ve been told that a couple of Saturday nights are already sold out. Woohoo!!

Such a great visit to the Newcastle Branch of Clarington Public Library to talk about my Holocaust books, The Magician of Auschwitz and To Hope and Back. Kids were great and attentive and asked the most wonderful questions – the important ones about history; “Why did Hitler hate the Jews so much; they did nothing wrong?” – and then some great ones about writing; “Do you start on a computer or long hand?” One young girl raised her hand and said that I was her favourite author of all time, to which I replied that she was my favourite person! Then she added, “No, I mean it! This is seriously the best day of my life!” Oh, it takes so little to make me happy!! Thanks to all the organizers and the wonderful young readers.

Just returned from Lethbridge Alberta where I was invited to be a speaker in the Priestly lecture series at the U of L and then to give the keynote at the 13th Annual Literature Fair hosted by the Faculty of Education. U of L rolled out the red carpet for me and I’m grateful to my friend, Goldie Morgentaler for organizing my visit. It was wonderful to meet the faculty and students at the university and to bring my stories of the Holocaust to these new audiences. Such a memorable visit!!

This Sunday, September 21, I will be signing books at the Second Story Press booth at Word on the Street in Toronto. I’ll be there at 2:00 p.m., sharpie in hand, and ready to talk to anyone who comes by. Come visit me. Come buy a copy of The Magician of Auschwitz (or any of my other books). And let’s have a conversation!

I am so excited to announce the publication of my new book, The Magician of Auschwitz, another book with Second Story Press. This is my first picture book and the illustrations are by the remarkable Gillian Newland. I always say that every story about the Holocaust that I write is important. But this one took my breath away when I first learned about it. It’s based on the true story of Werner Reich who was befriended by a famous magician while imprisoned in the Auschwitz concentration camp. You will learn about he gift of magic and friendship that Werner received. And you will see photographs of Werner, then and now, along with photographs of the real magician. Here’s a link to the book trailer. Enjoy!watch?v=LS3653XtTQI